P s 

3513 








Book to^ K - t 



Reflected Glory 



A Farce in One Act 

( For Female Characters ) 

BY 
HELEN SHERMAN GRIFFITH 

Author of "THE BURGLAR ALARM." "A FALLEN IDOL,' 
"THE MINISTER'S WIFE." etc/ 




PHILADELPHIA 
THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 

1909 






Copyright 1909xby The Penn Publishing Company 



Reflected Glory 



Reflected Glory 



CAST OF CHARACTERS 



Miss Aurelia Dunn . 

Miss Agnes Downing 

Gladys Irwin ") 
Mabel Smythe y 
Marjorie Gould ) 
Annette Dawson 



/o read a paper on '^The New 
Thought ' ' but a nervous traveler. 

a celebrated actress. 



schoolgirls. 



Miss Dowfiing^s niaid. 



COSTUMES 



Miss Dunn. — Black silk dress, somewhat ancient in style 
Bonnet and black cotton gloves. She wears spectacles and 
carries a fat umbrella and a small, old-fashioned ** tele- 
scope " bag, with A. D. on sides. 

Miss Downing. — Handsomely tailored broadcloth suit, 
furs and hat in the height of fashion, but in the best of taste. 
New suit case with A. D. on ends. 

Gladys ") 

Mabel )■ Attractive, girlish walking suits. 

Marjorie ) 

Maid. — Plain black coat and skirt, shirt-waist and black 
felt hat. 



Time in Representation : — Forty-five minutes. 



Reflected Glory 



SCENE. — Wotnen^s room in railroad station. Boxed set. 
E.xits R. L. and c. in flat. Furnished with plush covered 
sofas ajid chairs — also large " Mission " rockers and 
desks. Super ?iujjierary dressed as matron. Other su- 
pernumeraries moving in and out as travelers. 

{Curtain rises disclosing Miss Dunn seated onfroiit couch ^ 
complacently reading mafiuscript.^ 

Miss Dunn. I think my paper will make a real hit. It 
was right smart of me to divide it into acts instead of the 
usual "firstly," "secondly" and so forth. {Consults 
manuscript.^ That piece about the therapeutics of 
psychology is splendid ! i^Puts manuscript in cloth bag 
she carries over her arm and looks at her watch. ) I won- 
der how much longer I have to wait for my train ? I de- 
clare, I think I'll go ask the man again. The society cer- 
tainly did make very nice arrangements for my journey. 
The Culture Club '11 be real pleased when I get home and 
tell them about it. We shall have to write an expression of 
thanks to the lady managers. 

{Exit Miss Dunn, r.) 

{Enter Gladys, Mabel, Marjorie, c. in flat. They look 

about room.^ 

Mabel {glancing about room). I don't see any one 
here who looks like your grandmother, Gladys. 

Marjorie. I don't believe Gladys expects to see her 
grandmother at all. She has been acting too mysteriously 
for that. 

Gladys laughs and looks eagerly around room. ^ 

5 



REFLECTED GLORY 



Mabel (a little crossly). What's up, Gladys? It's no 
fun being kept in the dark like this. 

Marjorie. I hope you're not going to get us into an- 
other scrape, Glad. 

Gladys (indignantly). Another scrape! There s 
gratitude for you ! Who got us into the last scrape 1 d 
like to know, by spilling hot chocolate fudge on the cat? 

Marjorie. How could I know the cat was sleepmg on 
the back stairs? I could not help stumbling. 

Mabel. Stop squabbling, you two, and let s hear the 

1 i^ T* K 

Gladys. Such joy is in store for us, my dears ! You 
know our special pet adoration ? 

Marjorie. Maple nut sundae? 

Mabel. Or chocolate covered nougat ? 

Gladys. No, no, nothing to eat; our crush, Agnes 
Downing, the actress ! 

Mabel ) rio^ether\ Adorable creature! What of 
Marjorie j \^^-^ 

Mabel. Is she in town ? • i . r .u^ 

Marjorie. And has some one given you tickets for the 

matinee ? . . t «. i,^»^ 4.« 

Gladys No and yes. She is not in town but she s to 
pass through town and I have a means of introduction. 

Mabel ( (together, clasping their hands rapturously). 

Marjorie C )^^^ Q^^^yg , 

Mabel {inagfianimously). I forgive you all your mys- 

tenes 

Marjorie {recklessly). And I don't care if we are 

found out— if it is afterward. 

Gladys I was told that she was to wait here between 
trains and I have brought a copy of her latest play -A 
New Thought in the Old Story" to ask her for her 

autograph. , , . t xj^«r 

Mabel. And we'll really see and speak to her. How 

thrilHng ! . , u «^^ 

Marjorie. Oh, girls, haven't we time to buy her some 

flowers? 

Mabel. And a box of candy ? , . , , 

Gladys (looking at her watch). Yes, I think we have, 

and my offering shall be some of those delectable cakes 



REFLECTED GLORY 7 

from the French shop. I'll tell you what, girls, we'll sepa- 
rate, each do our errands and meet here again in ten 
minutes. 

Mabel. But let's go to Whitler's first and get some ice 
cream soda. 

Marjorie. Oh, Gladys, I think your grandmother is 
delightful ! {-H^i^gs her.) 

Mabel. But, Gladys, how did you happen to say you 
wanted to meet your grandmother ? Won't they find out at 
the school ? 

Gladys. The term ** grandmother " is only a form, my 
dears. All the office boys use it when they want to go to 
the baseball game. {Loftiiy.) If Miss Higgins fails to 
understand the figure of speech I cannot help that. Come 
on, girls. 

(Mabel and Marjorie exchange admii-ing glances. Exeunt 
three girls, c. in flat.) 

(Enter Miss Downing, l.) 

Miss Downing (looking around and glancing at her 
watch). The Intelligence Office promised faithfully to 
have a good maid join me here at the station. It is very 
awkward to have had Marie's mother taken ill just now. I 
really cannot get on without a maid. However, there is 
still plenty of time before my train leaves. (Enter Miss 
Dunn, r. Looks about fussily.) I wonder if this can be 
she? (To Miss Dunn.) I beg pardon, but are you looking 
for some one ? 

Miss Dunn. Why, no, I guess not. Did they send 
you to meet me ? How de do ? (She extends hand, clad 
in cotton gloves ; aside.) They certainly are civil, to send 
some one part way to meet me. Ain't she elegant ? 

Miss Downing (surveying Miss Dunn's extended hand 
in some surprise and then taking it coldly). 1 thought 
they were to send you to meet me. Did they give you 
instructions? 

Miss Dunn (a little puzzled). I had a letter telling me 
what trains to take. 1 suppose we'll take the rest of the 
journey together ? 

Miss Downing (coldly). Certainly. And you are fully 
prepared to take your position ? 

Miss Dunn (haughtily). Quite. ' 



8 REFLECTED GLORY 

Miss Downing. There will not be much extra work. 
The wait at the theatre may be long, but the third act is 
short, and the management are talking of merging it with 
the fourth act. 

Miss Dunn (astonished). But how can they tell yet? 
I think the fourth act should stand by itself. 

Miss Downing (/;^ j-z^r/r /><?). Indeed? (^Aside.) Rather 
intelligent for a maid. She appears to be conversant with 
my play. 

Miss Dunn {aside, flattered). They have taken the 
trouble to read the copy of my paper which 1 sent on, and 
to discuss it ! 

Miss Downing. Will you wait here, please, until I re- 
turn ? That is my bag at the end of the seat. Don't be 
surprised or disturbed if people address or question you. 
Public characters are obliged to submit to that sort of thing. 
I shall return in time for the train. 

(^Exit Miss Downing, l.) 

Miss Dunn (seating herself on front bench, iinmensely 
flattered). Well, now, was ever anything so nice? Public 
character ! Won't the Culture Club be green with envy 
when I get home and tell them this ! Greatness certainly 
has to go abroad to be appreciated. {Simpers.) 

{^E titer Mabel, c. in flat, carrying large candy box.) 

Mabel {glanci?ig about room). The others have not 
come back yet. And I don't see Miss Downing. I'll wait 
outside. 

(Mabel turns atid meets Marjorie, entering c, carrying 
large bunch of flowers.) 

Marjorie (breathless). I ran most of the way. Is she 
here yet ? 

Mabel. I don't think so. Where is Gladys? 

Marjorie (^glancing about room). That must be she on 
the end of the front bench, Mabel. Don't you see the bag 
on the floor beside her marked ''A. D. " ? 

Mabel. There are two bags — one nice and ladylike, the 
other dreadful. 

Marjorie. And both marked "A. D." 



REFLECTED GLORY Q 

Miss Dunn (^fidgeting, to herself). It must be getting 
time for that train. I do wish the lady would come back. 

Marjorie (background, to Mabel). Shall we speak to 
her? 

Mabel. Or wait for Gladys ? 

(Voice without heard calling train.) 

Miss Dunn (^jumping up in panic and seizing Miss 
Downing's bag). Laws ! That's my train ! 

(Miss Dunn rushes off, r.) 

Marjorie. It was she ! She took the nice bag. 
Mabel. I suppose the other is her maid's. 
Marjorie {disappointed). And we have lost the chance 
of speaking to her ! 

{Enter Gladys, c, breathless. The three advance front.) 

Gladys. Oh, girls, I am sorry to be late but I almost 
ran into Miss Higgins as I was coming out of the cake shop. 
I had to dodge and go all the way round the block. Is she 
here yet ? 

Mabel. Yes, and gone. 

Gladys. Gone ! 

Marjorie. Yes, just this moment. The man called a 
train and she rushed off, pell-mell. 

Gladys, But are you sure it was she ? Did you speak 
to her ? 

Mabel. No, we were waiting for you. 

Marjorie. We could not see her face plainly, but she 
carried a bag marked *' A. D." 

Gladys. How distressing ; and how peculiar. I was 
told that she was going on the P. B. T. train, which doesn't 
start for tvYenty minutes yet. 

Mabel [curiously). How did you get such exact infor- 
mation. Glad ? 

Gladys. Why, it's rather amusing. You remember I 
went with Miss Higgins yesterday to the Intelligence Office 
and the assistant showed me a letter from Miss Downing 

Marjorie (gla?icing toivard door, r.). Shsh ! She's 
coming back. {The three girls retire, up stage.) 

{Enter Miss Dunn, r., breathless, her hat on one side.) 



10 ^ REFLECTED GLORY 

Miss Dunn {seating herself and mopping face^). Laws, 
it does take it out of a body to travel ! 1 was sure he called 
my train. {^Sets down bag.) It's lucky it was not my train, 
for I carried off the lady's bag and left my own. {Tries to 
sit still.) I wish I was on board or had something to take 
my mind off. I'm all in a fidget. I guess I'll read ''Why 
Worry." 

( Takes book out of bag on arm and reads. The three girls 
watch herfrotn background and whisper.) 

Gladys {as Miss Dunn begins to read). She does not 
look like what I had expected. 

Mabel. She's not quite so — so elegant. 

Marjorie. Nor well-dressed. 

Gladys. But she's very intellectual. See how hard she's 
studying. 

Mabel. Do you suppose it's her part in the new play? 

Marjorie. Come on, let's speak to her if we're going to, 
Glad. 

Gladys. Well, come on. (They ?nove forward ^G'la'dws 
in the lead, then pause.) I wish I knew how to begin. 
What shall I say first ? 

Mabel. We can talk about her play, " A New Thought 
in the Old Story." 

Marjorie. And we can give her our presents. 

Gladys. Yes, that will be best. Eatables always break 
the ice. {They adva?ice front.) 

Miss Dunn (soliloquizing). I wish I had expressed my 
thought differently at the end of the second "act." I 
should have said : — *' Nervous debility " 

Gladys [timidly, to Miss Dunn). Oh, please, we are 
so glad to meet you. Do you like babas-au-rhum? 

{Holds out cake box.) 

Mabel. And candy? {Offers box.) 

Marjorie. Perhaps you will accept my modest tribute ? 

( Offers flowers.) 

Miss Dunn {quite overcome with surprise and delight). 
Oh, you dears ! How you flatter me ! 

Gladys. You don't mind our speaking to you? 
Mabel. You don't think us bold ? 



REFLECTED GLORY II 

Marjorie. Or cheeky ? 

Mlss Dunn. Lawsy, no ; no, no. I think it the sweet- 
est thing in the world. {Aside.') Oh, ain't I in high 
feather! {Aloud, cordially.) Sit down, girls. {They seat 
themselves f one on each side of Miss Dunn, and third dr anus 
up chair. Miss Dunn opens boxes, eats piece of candy, and 
passes box.) 1 say, girls, how did you know it was me? 

{Proceeds to open cake box, pausing to sniff flowers ec- 
statically.) 

Marjorie. We saw the initials *'A. D." on your bag. 

Miss Dunn {eating). Why, to be sure. And how did 
you know I was to be here ? 

Mabel. Gladys heard that you were passing through 
town. 

Gladys. And were to take the P. B. T. train. 

Miss Dunn {surprised and flattered). Well, now, did 
you ever hear the like of that ? My fame in connection 
with the ''New Thought " must have spread far. 

Gladys {eloquently). Oh, far and wide ! {Shyly.) I 
am going to ask a great favor of you. 

Miss Dunn {taking cake a?id passi?ig box). Ask any 
favor you like, my dear. {Tastes cake.) Um-um, how 
good ! 

Gladys {taking parcel the shape of a book from under 
her arm). I am going to ask you for your autograph. 

Miss Dunn. My autograph ? Lawsy me, I am flattered ! 
{Aside.) The Culture Club will never believe that. 

Mabel. Perhaps you will give me one too? 

Marjorie. And me? 

Miss Dunn. I certainly will, my sweet dears, to each 
of you. I always did like my handwriting, if I do say it as 
perhaps shouldn't. 

Mabel {politely). I am sure I shall agree with you as 
soon as I see it. 

Gladys {aside to Marjorie). I wonder if we can have 
made a mistake? 

Marjorie {aside to Gladys). Why, what do you mean ? 
She's a jolly good sort. {Talks 7vith Miss Dunn.) 

Gladys {aside to herself). A jolly sort, but not exactly 
what I had expected. {Sighs.) Ah, ideals are destined 
never to be realized. 

Miss Dunn {laughing in a cackling voice and*clapping 



12 REFLECTED GLORY 

Gladys on the knee). How funny you must have looked, 
dodging the school-teacher. Were you scared ? 

( They talk, laugh atid eat together, Gladys not so gay as 

the rest.^ 

{Enter Miss Downing, l. She stops and gazes in aston- 
ishment at group.) 

Miss Downing. Well, my new maid seems to be making 
herself at home. She has had her friends come down to see 
her off. (Surveys group through lorgnette.) What nice- 
looking girls. 1 don't believe they can be her friends. 

{She watches a 7noment, then moves quietly forward and 
seats herself 071 bench behind group.) 

Mabel {to Miss Dunn). We have jolly larks at school. 
I have oftened wondered why a playwright did not write a 
play about schoolgirls. 

Marjorie {to Miss Dunn). You would be most fetching 
in the part of a school miss. 

Miss Dunn {simpering). Who, me? At my age? 

{They talk aside, Gladys only see?ni?ig uneasy.) 

Miss Downing {background). I thought so. By some 
absurd mistake they have taken her for me. 

Miss Dunn {shaking her head coquettishly a?id laughing). 
No, no, girls. Such like theatricals wouldn't be in my line. 
I must stick to the New Thought. 

Miss Downing {i?i background). What's that ? What 
did she say about my play ? {Rises.) Surely 

{Man without calls train. Miss Dunn shrieks and gathers 
up whatever she can hold.) 

Miss Dunn. My train ! 

{The three girls gather up packages, one of them picks up 
Miss Downing' s bag, and they rush off, r.) 

Miss Downing {advancing, indigftantly). What does 
she mean by carrying on like that ? And she knows that it 
is not our train. I told her distinctly that I should return 
in plenty of time. {Moves up and down.) Those were 
very nice-looking girls. How could they have mistaken a 



REFLECTED GLORY 



13 



maid for me? And I believe the impertinent girl was 
actually trying to impersonate me ! I shall dismiss her at 
once. 

(Sounds of laughter. Miss Downing withdraws back- 
ground.) 

{Reenter Miss Dunn and girls from R.) 

Miss Dunn {sitting down, breathless). Well, I declare, 
that's the second time I've had a scare about that train. 
What can have come over me ? 

Mabel. Deep thinking is a strain on the nerves, don't 
you think? 

Marjorie. And deep study. {In mock sadness.) I 
suffer from that ! 

Gladys {meaniftgly'). Impersonating another's part is 
hardest on the nerves, in my opinion. 

Miss Dunn (/«^/^;2^;;//v). What do you mean? I ain't 
taking anybody else's part. 

Mabel {soothingly). She means in the " New Thought," 
you know. 

Miss Dunn {still ruffled). But I didn't personate any 
one's part in that, either. I wrote it all myself, every word 
of it ! ( Great astonishment among girls.) 

Miss Downing {aside, rising). I think it about time for 
me to put a stop to this nonsense. 

Mabel {to Miss Dunn). You wrote it ? You wrote " A 
New Thought"? 

Marjorie. Wrote it as well as act in it ? How won- 
derful ! 

Gladys {aside). I thought before that she was sham- 
ming. Now I know it 

Miss Dunn {puzzled). It is divided into ''acts," 
but 

Mabel } ^^ .1 , , . s rr, , 

Marjorie \y^S^^^^^i ^^^g^^ng). TohQ%mt\\.\s. And 

) in which act are your favorite speeches? 
Miss Dunn {flattered). Well, now, I'll read you some 
of it, if you like. 

{She fumbles in cloth bag for manuscript and draws it out. 
Gladys looks surprised, Mabel and Marjorie intensely 
interested.) 



14 REFLECTED GLORY 

Miss Downing {coldly, advancing front). May I ask 
what all this means ? 

(Miss Dunn looks up, startled. She holds a cake in one 
hajid, the manuscript in the other. ) 

Miss Dunn {in some confusioti). It's the lady ! Excuse 
my not getting up. {She tries to rise, but her lap is too 
full.) Is it time to start, ma'am? 

Miss Downing (with dignity). It is time to rise. In 
my presence you will always be expected to rise. 

{Three girls draw back in surprise.) 

Miss Dunn {indignantly, settling herself in her seat). 
Well, I just guess not. This is a free country. I don't 
mind being polite, I don't. I rather pride myself on my 
manners. But I guess I ain't used to being expected to 
rise, not in any lady's presence. 

(Gladys looks from Miss Downing to Miss Dunn, then 
draws Mabel and Marjorie aside and whispers.) 

Miss Downing {angrily, but controlling herself ). Then 
I am afraid that makes one more reason why you will not 
do — ah — ah I believe you did not give me your name ? 

Miss Dunn. Why should I? Don't you know it? 
Didn't you know who I was when you spoke to me a while 

ago. Miss — ah — ah {Imitates her ma7iner.) You did 

not give me your name, I believe. (^Changes her tone, 
rises and spills everything frojn her lap.) What do you 
mean by saying I won't do ? 

Miss Downing {coldly). Exactly what I said — ah — 

ah Will you give me your name or do they mention 

it in the letter ? 

{She looks for and finds letter in her shopping-bag.) 

Miss Dunn { piteous ly). You mean that I am not to 
read my paper ? After all my hard work over it, and the 
committee being so kind and sending you to meet me and 
all? 

Miss Downing (looking up from letter she is reading). 
What paper ? What committee ? 

Miss Dunn. Why, my paper on ''New Thought," that 
I was to read. {Extends manuscript.) Wliy, I am cele- 



REFLECTED GLORY 1 5 

brated about it. These young ladies {^points to girls ^ who 
draiv back e?ndarrassed^, they came down to see me as I 
passed through town, and {defia7itly proud) they asked me 
for my autograph, they did. 

(Miss Downing ^/^//^^x with atnusement toward girls, who 
hang their heads.) 

Marjorie (aside, to Mabel). Ain't it awful, Mabel? 

(^Enter Annette, back, dressed in plain black coat and 
skirt, black felt sailor hat.) 

Miss Downing {to Miss Dunn). Are you not Annette 
Dawson, sent here from Mrs. Smith's Intelligence Office to 
apply for position as my maid ? 

Miss Dunn {jiearly bursting with ifidignation). Me ! 
Me ! ! {Advances threateningly.) Are you asking me if I 
am a — a maid ? Me, Aurelia Dunn, president of the Corn- 
ville Culture Club ! Author of '* How to Keep Calm 

When Provoked" ! Me — me — a — a — a maid ! ! I — I 

(^Pauses for breath, then pompously.) Who are you, ma'am, 
to ask me such a question? {Strikes attitude.) 

Annette {to Miss Downing, advancing front). I beg 
pardon, ma'am, but are you Miss Agnes Downing ? 

Miss Downing {quietly). I am. {She and Annette 
falk aside.) 

{Sensation among girls.) 

Mabel. Gladys, you were right. The other one isn't 
she ! 

Marjorie. Thank goodness ! 

Gladys {miserably). Oh, girls, what fools we have 
been ! 

Martorie [ (^^^^^^^^)- And we cast our pearls be- 
3 fore 

Gladys {quickly, seeing that Miss Dunn is listening). 
Shsh ! 

Miss Dunn {to Gladys, /;/ half luhisper, gazing awe- 
struck at Miss Downing). I say, that girl asked her if she 
was Miss Downing ! And she said yes. Does she mean 
the Miss Downing ? Miss Agnes Downing, the actress ? 
{The girls nod. Miss Dunn still stares.) Lawsy me ! 



l6 REFLECTED GLORY 

{She stares at Miss Downing, the7i at the girls ; then sud- 
denly drops into her seat, overcome with laughter.^ 

Miss Downing {courteously^ to Miss Dunn). I owe you 
many apologies, madam. 1 hope you will forgive my un- 
pardonable mistake in thinking you could be 

Miss Dunn {laughing^. Oh, laws, yes, ma'am. {Rises.') 
I wouldn't mind in the least being mistook for the maid 
of a great lady like yourself, ma'am. But {laughs) what 

gets me {Laughs.) You must excuse my laughing, 

ma'am, but it's too amusing ! These three young ladies, 
ma'am, mistook me for you. {Laughs heartily.) 

Miss Downing {cordially). It is very good of you to 
take it all so good-naturedly. As for the girls, I really 
think they ought to have what they came to seek, don't 
you — ah — ah 

Miss Dunn {promptly). Miss Aurelia Dunn, ma'am, at 
your service. President of the Cornville Culture Club, au- 
thor of — ah — I said that before, I believe. I am now on 
my way to read a paper on New Thought before a very 
learned society. My card, ma'am. 

{She hands Miss Downing a visiting card, which Miss 
Downing courteously excha^iges for one of her own.) 

Gladys {tiniidly, advancing). I — we — I heard you were 
expecting to meet a maid at this station and I — we — ven- 
tured to 

Miss Dunn {interposing, laughing). To bring you a 
pretty posy and some goodies. Here are the remains. 

{She picks up the scattered flowers, etc.) 

Gladys {advancing, extending package). We ventured to 
— to come to ask if you would be so kind as to write your 
name in this book. 

Mabel {rapturously, advancing behind Gladys). And 
to see you ! 

Marjorie {also advancing). And to be able to say that 
we had heard you speak ! 

Miss Downing {smiling). And some one else received 
the adulation I was to have been given. Never mind, girls. 
I'll write my autograph for you, with pleasure ; but, girls, 
may I write it at the end of a little moral ? Don't try to 



REFLECTED GLORY fj 

make acquaintances when you are not sure. Some time it 
may prove much more awkward for you. {^Girls look at 
one afiother sheepishly. AIuji' s voice heard without, callifig 
train. Miss Dunn gathers up her belo?igifigs hastily, care- 
ful this time to take her owfi bag.) Miss Dunn, that is 
my train. Perhaps we are traveling together, after all? 
Annette, will you please take my bag ? ( Writes in book.) 

Gladys. Oh, Miss Downing, thank you and forgive me ! 
I know we have been silly and schoolgirl y, but — but — may 
we come to see you again some time ? 

Miss Downing {graciously). I shall be in town, at the 
Globe Theatre, in three weeks. 

Gladys '\ 

Mabel > {together, ardently). Oh, thank you ! 

Marjorie ) 

(Miss Downing sfniles, waves her hand and moves toward 
door R., followed by Annette, carrying bag.) 

Miss Dunn {gathering up her shabby ^^ telescope^^ and 
manuscript, following them to door). Good-bye, girls, and 
thanks awfully for the good things. I may have basked in 
the sunshine of reflected glory, but it was real pleasant while 
it lasted. Good-bye. 



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